You are here

Nova Scotia is spending more and more money on health care, but we aren’t getting any healthier. How do we create a healthier future for Nova Scotians? It’s time to Talk about health.

Nova Scotia Health Authority will be hosting online and face-to-face conversations along with partners in many other sectors, including many of our 37 Community Health Boards across the province. We need Nova Scotians to join us in leading, hosting and participating in these conversations.

“As I have travelled around the province to talk about our new organization, I have met with municipal leaders, school boards and other partners. They are excited about our commitment to engage Nova Scotians in a discussion about health, and are eager to be part of those conversations,” says Janet Knox, president and CEO.

What are we talking about when we talk about health?

Our life expectancy in Nova Scotia is a year lower than the national average. The number of years we can expect to live in full health is two years lower than the national average.

Six per cent of Nova Scotians report having been diagnosed with a heart disease as compared to five per cent nationally. For those making the lowest incomes in the province, this rate increases to 10 per cent.

We see 5,900 cases of cancer each year, with 2,500 deaths due to the disease. Our rates of cancer are significantly higher than the national average at 423 cases per 100,000 as compared to 391 per 100,000.

61 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population is overweight or obese, significantly higher than the national average of 52 per cent.

23 per cent of our adult population report having arthritis, as compared to the national average of 16 per cent. For people earning a low income, this percentage jumps to almost a third.

Seven out of 10 Nova Scotians rate their health as very good or excellent. However, those who did not graduate from high school are less likely to report very good or excellent mental health.

This conversation is about more than health care. Let’s talk about health for a change. We invite you to join a conversation about the health of Nova Scotians and what that might mean for us as individuals, communities and as a province. We have already set dates for our first three face-to-face conversations, with more to follow soon:

Nov. 5: Liverpool

Nov. 10: Antigonish

Nov. 26: Kentville

You can find out about events in your local area or join the online discussion by visiting www.engage4health.ca. You can also follow the conversation on Twitter @engage4health #talkabouthealth